Earn out

Earn out

Earn out is a term used by private equity and venture capital investors to describe a formula by which management of a target company earn a bigger share of the target's share capital by achieving results above pre-determined levels. It is also used to describe a payment to shareholders selling their shares in a company where the payment is based on the company's profits in a specified period, usually after the closing of the sale.

It is often used when small companies in high-growth, high-tech or service industries are sold. The acquiror typically pays 60–80% of the purchase price up front with the remaining 20–40% structured as an earn-out and paid out over time as the acquired company achieves certain levels of sales or profitability.


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  • earn-out — An arrangement where at least part of the purchase price on the sale and purchase of a business is calculated by reference to the future performance of the business being purchased. Commonly used as a management incentive where owner managed… …   Law dictionary

  • earn out — verb bring to a zero balance, bring up to date, defray the expenses, lend, loan, paid back, pay back after an advance, repayment, used up Generally:{{}}indemnify, recoupment, reimburse, remit, remunerate Burton s Legal Thesaurus …   Law dictionary

  • earn out — To make enough money from sales to recover costs or make a profit • • • Main Entry: ↑earn …   Useful english dictionary

  • Earn out — Eine Earn Out Klausel definiert in einem Kaufvertrag einen Anteil des Kaufpreises, der zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt erfolgsabhängig bezahlt wird.[1] Solche Klauseln finden sich vor allem in Unternehmenskaufverträgen. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • earn-out period — ➔ period …   Financial and business terms

  • earn-out — Refers to an additional payment in a merger or acquisition that is not part of the original acquisition cost, which is based on the acquired company s future earnings relative to a level determined by the merger agreement. Bloomberg Financial… …   Financial and business terms

  • earn-out agreement — contingent contract An agreement to purchase a company in which the purchaser pays a lump sum at the time of the acquisition, with a promise to pay more (a contingent consideration) if certain criteria, usually specified earnings levels, are met… …   Accounting dictionary

  • earn-out agreement — contingent contract An agreement to purchase a company in which the purchaser pays a lump sum at the time of the acquisition, with a promise to pay more (a contingent consideration) if certain criteria, usually specified earnings levels, are met… …   Big dictionary of business and management

  • earn one's keep — {v. phr.} To merit one s salary or keep by performing the labor or chores that are expected of one. * /John earned his keep at the music conservatory by dusting off all the musical instruments every day./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • earn one's keep — {v. phr.} To merit one s salary or keep by performing the labor or chores that are expected of one. * /John earned his keep at the music conservatory by dusting off all the musical instruments every day./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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